The wicketkeeper-batter, Ishan Kishan, has reportedly turned down the chance to participate in the upcoming Duleep Trophy, despite being injury-free. The zonal red-ball competition is scheduled to take place from June 28 to July 16 in Bangalore.
Kishan, who was recently in contention for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, has been serving as a backup wicketkeeper following injuries to Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul. Although he received his maiden Test call-up earlier this year, he is yet to make his debut in the format.
According to a member of the East Zone selection committee, Kishan was being considered for the captaincy role in the Duleep Trophy team.
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The source revealed that Kishan conveyed his unavailability to the convenor of the Zonal selection committee, Debasish Chakraborty.
“As he is a senior India regular in white-ball, he would have been named captain. Chakraborty contacted Ishan over the phone and informed us that he is not interested in playing the Duleep Trophy. We were not informed about any injury. He simply stated that he doesn’t want to play,” the source stated.
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With Kishan’s absence, Abhimanyu Easwaran has been entrusted with leading the East Zone team in the Duleep Trophy.
Since Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul are unlikely to recover in time for the upcoming Test series against the West Indies, Kishan may retain his place in the squad, with KS Bharat as the alternative wicketkeeping options.
Kishan’s most recent red-ball appearance occurred during the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy season. In that tournament, he scored 13 runs in both innings of a match against Services. Following his successful Bangladesh tour, Kishan briefly joined the Jharkhand squad.